Germany’s ambitious immigration reform initiative, the Work and Stay Agency (WSA), faces significant hurdles. A year after its launch, officials remain divided over its core function. They question whether it will create a genuinely centralized system or simply digitize existing complex procedures.
Employers and international workers consistently complain about Germany’s current immigration system. They cite long visa delays, unpredictable processing times, and a multi-authority application process. Germany requires approximately 400,000 skilled workers annually to counter demographic shifts.
The government last year pledged a more digital, transparent, and centralized system. Applicants would submit documents once and track progress online. Employers would also gain a single point of contact.
Original plans suggested a detailed implementation and cost schedule by March 2026. However, months later, a finalized model for the agency remains elusive. Questions persist regarding project responsibility and operational timelines.
Insiders express concern that the Work and Stay Agency might become “nothing more than an IT platform.” The National Regulatory Control Council (NKR), an advisory body, highlights this risk. They believe merely digitizing existing procedures is insufficient.
Currently, a single residence permit application can involve seven different authorities. These include embassies, federal, state, and local immigration offices, plus labor and recognition bodies. The NKR advocates for removing much of this complexity.
They support a “tandem solution.” Under this proposal, two federal bodies – the Federal Office for Foreign Affairs and the Federal Employment Agency – would primarily handle the process. This would streamline immigration for both skilled workers and employers, as Kerstin Müller of the NKR explains.
The German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DIHK) echoes these sentiments. Their members report ongoing delays, unpredictability, and a lack of transparency when hiring foreign workers. Expert Stefan Hardege notes that securing skilled workers remains a key challenge for German businesses.
Hardege emphasizes the need for consistent, efficient procedures nationwide. Therefore, he insists the WSA must be more than just a digital portal. Müller also stresses this point, warning against the agency becoming solely an IT platform.
Both organizations fear Germany might adopt a digital interface but avoid the harder task of centralizing responsibilities. This scenario would leave existing bottlenecks and delays unresolved. Despite cabinet approval for key implementation points, project stakeholders lack clear timelines.
The Federal Foreign Office confirms ongoing debates on centralizing domestic residence procedures. This indicates the Work and Stay Agency’s true scope is still undecided. Responsibility for the agency is currently fragmented across multiple ministries, including Labor, Foreign, and Interior. This shared oversight may contribute to the delays.
Nevertheless, the Foreign Office is independently advancing visa procedure centralization. The Federal Office for Foreign Affairs (BfAA) is taking on more visa processing, focusing on skilled worker immigration. Since 2021, the BfAA has significantly expanded its staff and divisions.
This suggests genuine resource investment in immigration reform. Visa processing shows increasing centralization and digital system deployment in some areas. However, nearly a year after its launch, the ultimate integration of this work into a true Work and Stay Agency remains uncertain.
